Introduction
Wrath of Kings, a dynamic miniatures skirmish wargame, stands out in the tabletop gaming world for its strategic depth and intricate faction design. Unlike some games that rely solely on raw power, Wrath of Kings emphasizes tactical planning, clever maneuvering, and a deep understanding of your forces. A crucial aspect of mastering this game is an intimate knowledge of the units that comprise each faction. Grasping the nuances of each unit – their strengths, weaknesses, and synergies – is the key to building a formidable army and achieving victory on the battlefield. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to the various units in Wrath of Kings, equipping you with the knowledge needed to construct effective army lists and execute winning strategies.
This article will delve into the core concepts of unit design, exploring the key statistics and abilities that define each unit’s role. We will then embark on a faction-by-faction journey, highlighting notable units within each house and providing insights into their tactical applications. Finally, we will cover general strategies and tactics related to unit deployment, movement, and synergy, giving you the tools to outmaneuver your opponents and claim dominion over the battles of Wrath of Kings.
Core Concepts of Wrath of Kings Unit Design
Understanding the fundamentals of unit statistics and abilities is paramount to effectively utilizing your forces in Wrath of Kings. A unit’s profile provides a wealth of information that dictates its capabilities on the battlefield.
Let’s break down the key statistics. Movement (MOV) indicates how far a unit can travel during its activation. Units with higher Movement scores are generally more mobile and better suited for flanking maneuvers or securing objectives quickly. Attack (ATK) represents a unit’s offensive prowess in melee combat. The higher the Attack score, the greater the likelihood of inflicting damage on the enemy. Defense (DEF) determines a unit’s ability to withstand attacks in melee. A high Defense score makes a unit more difficult to hit. Armor (ARM) represents a unit’s resistance to damage once hit. A high Armor score reduces the amount of damage inflicted by successful attacks. Command (CMD) is crucial for leadership and morale. Units with high Command scores are less likely to break under pressure and can often provide benefits to nearby friendly units. Finally, Wounds (WND) represents a unit’s health. As a unit takes damage, it loses Wounds. Once a unit’s Wounds are reduced to zero, it is removed from the battlefield.
Beyond statistics, unit abilities and keywords play a significant role in defining their functionality. Keywords like Fear can force enemy units to take morale tests, hindering their actions. Tough allows a unit to ignore the first point of damage from each attack, increasing their survivability. Agile provides a bonus to defense, making them harder to hit. Furious grants a bonus to attack when charging, making them devastating in close combat. Always read your unit cards carefully to identify any special abilities or keywords that may affect their performance on the battlefield. These abilities can significantly impact a unit’s effectiveness and open up unique tactical options.
Units are generally classified based on their role and movement type: Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Monsters/Beasts, and Characters/Leaders. Infantry units are the backbone of most armies, providing a solid foundation for your battle lines. Cavalry units are fast and mobile, ideal for flanking attacks and harassing enemy units. Artillery units provide ranged support, softening up enemy formations before engaging in close combat. Monsters/Beasts are powerful and resilient, capable of overwhelming enemy forces through brute strength. Characters/Leaders provide command and control, granting bonuses to nearby units and influencing the flow of battle.
Faction-Specific Unit Overviews
Let’s explore some units across the main factions in Wrath of Kings.
House Nasier: The Legion of Steel
House Nasier excels at attrition warfare and disciplined formations. They are renowned for their heavily armored infantry and powerful siege weapons.
Key Unit: Iron Guard
The Iron Guard are the quintessential Nasier infantry. Clad in thick armor and armed with brutal polearms, they are incredibly resilient and capable of holding the line against overwhelming odds. Their high Armor and Defense make them difficult to dislodge, while their polearms allow them to engage enemies at a distance. Synergies with Nasier leaders that boost armor or accuracy enhance their already formidable capabilities. Tactically, they are best used as an anvil, holding the center of your battle line while other units maneuver around them.
Key Unit: Ghûl Riders
These fast cavalry units are ideal for flanking maneuvers. Mounted on swift Ghûl beasts, they can quickly reposition and harass enemy flanks, disrupting their formations and exploiting vulnerabilities. Their speed and mobility allow them to quickly respond to changing battlefield conditions. Synergies with abilities that boost movement or attack power are particularly effective for Ghûl Riders.
Key Unit: Arbalesters
Providing long-range support, the Arbalesters can pin down key targets and soften up enemy formations before your infantry engages. Their ranged attacks and can target vulnerable targets such as enemy commanders.
House Goritsi: The Blood Reavers
House Goritsi favors aggressive tactics, relying on speed, ferocity, and dark magic. Their armies are often composed of swift cavalry and bloodthirsty warriors.
Key Unit: Ashmen
These lightly armored warriors are the shock troops of House Goritsi. They excel at engaging the enemy quickly and inflicting significant damage. Their ferocity in combat and special ability to ignore armor make them dangerous opponents in close quarters. Buffing their speed or attack enhances their ability to tear into enemy lines.
Key Unit: Vorath Keepers
Mounted on Night Howlers, these cavalry units bring swift attacks. They can quickly reposition and exploit weak points in the enemy line.
Key Unit: Banshees
The Banshees strike fear into the enemy, slowing them and disrupting formations. Their debuff ability gives Goritsi a valuable advantage.
House Shael Han: The Celestial Dragon
Shael Han emphasizes harmony and precision, combining skilled warriors with powerful elemental magic.
Key Unit: Dragon Legionnaires
These elite infantry are trained in both martial arts and elemental magic. Their disciplined formations, defensive abilities, and counter attacks make them difficult to assault.
Key Unit: Lotus Mages
These arcane casters support and debuff the opposition.
House Teknes: The Clockwork Legion
Teknes is all about artifice and technology. They employ ingenious contraptions and automated constructs.
Key Unit: Iron Clank
Heavily armored, the Iron Clank will hold the lines while other units flank.
Key Unit: Servitors
Fast and disposable, these units can be used to tie up more expensive enemy models.
The Shivering Isles: The Risen Host
The Risen Host relies on undead units and necromantic power. This grants them the ability to recover troops and outlast their opponent.
Key Unit: Revenant Warriors
Slow but resilient the Revenant Warriors are a solid anvil that can slowly advance on the enemy.
Key Unit: Soul Hunters
These units can eliminate high value enemy targets using stealth and assassination.
The Hundred Kingdoms: The Combined Might
The Hundred Kingdoms has a large amount of units that come in high numbers. This makes them ideal at overwhelming the opponent.
Key Unit: Longbowmen
These units provide devastating range attacks.
Key Unit: Men-At-Arms
A balanced unit that can take a punch.
General Unit Strategy and Tactics
Unit positioning and movement are critical for success. Use terrain to your advantage, providing cover for vulnerable units and creating chokepoints to funnel enemy advances. Flanking maneuvers can disrupt enemy formations and target weaker units. Employ screening units to protect your more valuable assets from enemy attacks.
Synergies and combinations can dramatically increase the effectiveness of your army. Combine units with complementary abilities to create powerful tactical advantages. For example, pairing a unit that debuffs enemy armor with a high-damage melee unit can result in devastating attacks.
Countering enemy units effectively requires careful observation and planning. Identify the enemy’s key threats and develop strategies to neutralize them. Use your units to exploit enemy weaknesses. If your opponent relies on heavily armored infantry, consider using units with abilities that ignore armor or deal piercing damage.
Command Dice management and unit activation are crucial for maximizing your impact on the battlefield. Prioritize activations to disrupt enemy plans and seize key objectives. Use your Command Dice wisely to boost your units’ abilities or trigger special actions.
Unit Selection for Army Building
When building your army, strive for balance. Include a mix of unit types to address different threats and scenarios. Consider the cost-effectiveness of each unit and how it contributes to your overall strategy.
Adapt your army composition to the specific mission or game type. Objective-based missions may require faster, more mobile units, while attrition-based battles may favor resilient, hard-hitting units.
Each faction has unique strengths and weaknesses that should be considered when building your army. Leverage your faction’s strengths to create a powerful and cohesive force.
Conclusion
Understanding the diverse units of Wrath of Kings is crucial for success in this engaging skirmish wargame. By mastering the core concepts of unit design, exploring faction-specific units, and implementing effective strategies and tactics, you can build a formidable army and dominate the battlefield. Remember that experimentation and learning are key. Do not be afraid to try new unit combinations and strategies, and always analyze your games to identify areas for improvement. The rich tapestry of Wrath of Kings awaits your exploration, so embrace the challenge and forge your own path to victory.
